Unfortunately, all good things in life, as well as bad ones, come to an end someday. Therefore, it was fateful that the moment came when George Papandreou closed the branch of the Socialist International, of which he had been president since 2006. The GAP office announced that he would no longer run, “respecting the organization’s charter, which he proposed” and provides for two terms. He made sure to emphasize that he was “the longest serving president of the Socialist International.”

Dendias in Beijing

I learn that at a meeting between Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, the possibility of a visit by the head of Greek diplomacy to Beijing was also discussed. Wang Yi, despite the obvious pressure he was under in those days, amid the bellicose atmosphere around Taiwan due to Pelosi’s visit, extended an invitation to Nikos Dendias, who accepted. Of course, the timing of official visits like this one is subsequently also the subject of discussions about exact dates, but the invitation remains proof that Greek-Chinese contacts remain more than good.

SACEUR in Athens

NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) Christopher Cavoli is arriving in Greece today from Turkey to hold interesting talks with the Minister of Defense and the head of GEETHA. And this is because Mr. Cavoli met with Hulusi Akar and the head of the Turkish armed forces, and also visited the Headquarters of the NATO Land Forces (LANDCOM) in Izmir. In a time of uncertainty in the Eastern Mediterranean, the visit of an American general to Athens and Ankara is another useful channel.

Commissions

Today, the President of SYRIZA, Alexis Tsipras, will visit the competition commission, as well as a meeting with its president, Ioannis Lianos. On the agenda is the issue of punctuality and the official opposition party’s constant exposure of “cartel operations” that keep prices high. Mr. Tsipras is expected to reiterate that more and more effective market control is needed, especially in relation to fuel, energy and food. For food products, SYRIZA repeats the proposal to reduce VAT.

Friendship with Iraq

There was an unresolved issue that was actually and formally closed: the Greek parliament, in the context of parliamentary diplomacy, also acquired the Greek-Iraqi parliamentary friendship group. President K. Tasulas signed the relevant decision a few days ago, and thus, with the participation of President Z. Cikalay, Vice President A. Pacis, Secretary K. Barkas and members I. Deilis, D. Vagenas and Ms. Anjelika Adamopoulou, it was formed and this friendship group.